Halal COVID-19 vaccines should be arranged amid hesitancy in Mindanao —NTF adviser

National Task Force Against COVID-19 medical adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa on Tuesday said COVID-19 vaccines that are halal should be arranged for people who prefer this.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, Herbosa made the statement following the sentiment of President Rodrigo Duterte that some communities in Mindanao are “resisting” the vaccine due to their beliefs.

“Very important na mag-align tayo kung ang gusto nila ay halal-type vaccine (Very important that we align with their preference for a halal-type vaccine)," he said.

In January 2021, then Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chief Eric Domingo said COVID-19 vaccine makers are working on securing Halal certification for their products.

Bangsamoro Region leaders raised concerns on COVID-19 vaccines. The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos defines "halal" in Arabic to mean "permissible" and refers to food and non-food products that are lawful for consumption.

Also, based on Shari’ah law, the concept covers other transactions including banking, finance and other activities Islam believers are engaged in.

During his Talk to the People aired Monday night, Duterte said the Muslim community in the country believed that they are not allowed to receive the vaccine due to culture and religion.

“I might be mistaken, it could be that or something else sa culture nila... But in Mindanao, just an information, in Mindanao, the Muslim community are resisting the bakuna even the Tausugs," he said.—AOL, GMA News